WASHINGTON, DC — Federal safety regulators are telling owners of more than 720,000 recalled BMW vehicles to keep them parked outside and away from buildings while the automaker develops a new fix. The warning follows a BMW recall covering 720,796 vehicles in the United States after regulators said a water pump defect could create a fire risk even when the cars are turned off.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the problem involves an improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump. If water reaches the connector, it can short circuit and start a fire. BMW said it is working on the recall, and NHTSA said it is aware of 10 incidents that may be connected to the issue after vehicles had already been repaired under a 2024 recall.
How the water pump defect can create a fire hazard
NHTSA says the risk centers on the electrical connector attached to the water pump. In the agency’s explanation, the connector may not be sealed properly, leaving it exposed to water intrusion. That exposure can lead to a short circuit, which increases the chance of a fire.
What makes the warning especially urgent is that the hazard can exist while the vehicle is parked and switched off. That is why the agency is advising owners not to leave the affected BMWs in garages or close to homes and other structures until the company has a remedy in place. BMW is handling the recall and says the cars will need to be repaired again.
BMW models included in the latest recall
The recall reaches a long list of BMW vehicles built across multiple model years. NHTSA says the affected vehicles include 2012-2016 BMW 3 Series and 5 Series models, 2012-2015 BMW X1 vehicles, and 2012-2016 BMW Z4 roadsters. Also included are 2013-2017 BMW X3 models and 2014-2016 BMW 2 Series coupe vehicles.
Additional models on the list are the 2014-2016 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 BMW 328xi Gran Turismo, 2014-2016 BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible, 2015-2016 BMW 2 Series convertible, 2015-2016 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, 2015-2018 BMW X4, and 2016-2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e.
Why these vehicles are being recalled again after a 2024 repair
These BMWs were already recalled in 2024 because of a water pump problem, but regulators say they now need another round of repairs. The current action suggests the earlier fix did not fully eliminate the risk tied to the water pump assembly.
NHTSA said it is aware of 10 incidents that may be related to the defect and occurred after vehicles were repaired under the 2024 recall. That detail is a major reason the agency is urging owners to treat the cars as a fire risk until the new solution is available.
BMW has not yet announced the final repair, but officials say the company is currently working on it. Until then, the guidance is simple: park the vehicles outside and away from structures whenever possible.
What owners can expect from BMW and NHTSA
A remedy for the latest recall is being developed and will be provided free of charge at BMW dealerships once it is ready. That means owners should not expect to pay for the repair itself when the fix is officially released.
NHTSA says owner notification letters will begin going out on Dec. 25. Starting that same day, affected vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers will be searchable on NHTSA.gov/Recalls, giving owners a way to confirm whether their vehicle is included.
Until those notices arrive, regulators are advising drivers to take the outside-parking precaution seriously. The warning is meant to reduce the chance that a parked vehicle could ignite near a home, garage, or other building.
The recall adds to BMW's broader safety issues
The latest action comes alongside other BMW safety work already underway, including a separate recall involving defective airbags. While the airbag problem is unrelated to the water pump issue, it underscores the number of safety campaigns affecting the brand at the same time.
For now, the immediate concern is the fire risk linked to the water pump connector. Federal officials say owners of the affected vehicles should watch for the coming mailing, check recall status once the online tool is updated, and follow the parking guidance until BMW completes the repair process.
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